I live in Pohang, Korea and sometimes I just need a trip out. My girlfriend had to go to Seoul for a friend's wedding so I made plan to meet her the following day and spend the day touring with her in Seoul before coming back.

Pre-planning for my trip involved using the English version of Asiana Airlines and Barota (the train service). On one flight a day, both KAL and Asiana offer a 20% discount available on-line. Luckily it was the first flight of the day that offered the discount. Taking the train back, although slower, would be cheaper.

On Saturday, November 27th I arrived at KPO about 9:00 for my 9:30 flight. I was quickly issued a boarding pass. I was surprised that this was not a ticket stock, but more something from a cash register. It had my gate and seat number (7A) already listed on it. They also applied the mileage to my account (190 miles). This is a dissapointment because a year ago they would give a flat 500 miles for flights in Korea. I'll have to check to find out if I received my bonus for buying on-line. I was also able to have a permanent membership card issued.

The flight was on on of their 737-400s (They have 3). The first class section had been removed and replaced by more rows of coach. I am not sure when this change took place. The flight crew was very friendly. An English newspaper was available and I received a pen and postcards upon request. While the pitch was very tight, the time was short and bearable. Wheels were up at 9:35 and down at 10:14.

In flight there was a beverage service, no cans and served from plastic cups. Choices were coffee, juice, cola, and water. Take-off and arrival music was Christmas themed for the holidays. I believe there were 4 flight attendants on board. The flight was mostly full.

After meeting my girlfriend at the airport, we took the subway to Aiins World. This is a minatures theme park of famous places around the world. It was designed by a company that does special effects for movies. After spending some time here, we made it over to Insadong for art galleries and shopping.

On the trip home we decided for the KTX (Korea Express Train). Service on this has been good as it quickly cuts down on the amount of travel time. The reduced pitch and comfort of the seats is replaced by speed. Plus taking the KTX at 7pm allowed us to catch up with the Sameulho which left at 5pm. In East Daegu we caught up and switched to the Sameulho which would continue into Pohang. Although the train had a 13 minute delay, we did arrive on time at 10:47pm into Pohang Station. The Sameulho while slower than the KTX is much more comfortable. Maybe like the old seats upstairs on Northwests 747-200s.

I hope you enjoy my first trip report. If you would like me to expound on any details, please let me know.

Thank you for the nice report.
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I was in the area (Gyeongju) for a couple of days during Chuseok to meet a Korean friend. Went by express bus though as I was coming from the South West.

Asiana don't do business on domestic routes, I believe, but KAL still has business seats for a very modest premium(?). Pohang being a pure business destination (Posco etc. ) I would expect a big demand for business seats on the Gimpo-bound routes. Can you get direct flights to Jeju Island from Pohang?

Btw, how are the coach class seats on the KTX? I have wanted to take the train several times in Korea but for various reasons have resorted to flying or driving in the end. If the leg space is as limited as the french TGV ( isn't the KTX a TGV-based train? ) I might skip it all together or try first class. What kind of food & drinks do they serve during the trip?

Asiana don't do business on domestic routes, I believe, but KAL still has business seats for a very modest premium(?). Pohang being a pure business destination (Posco etc. ) I would expect a big demand for business seats on the Gimpo-bound routes. Can you get direct flights to Jeju Island from Pohang?

Asiana does have direct flights from Pohang to Jeju. I haven't been there yet.

Btw, how are the coach class seats on the KTX? I have wanted to take the train several times in Korea but for various reasons have resorted to flying or driving in the end. If the leg space is as limited as the french TGV ( isn't the KTX a TGV-based train? ) I might skip it all together or try first class. What kind of food & drinks do they serve during the trip?[/QUOTE]

The pitch is small on the KTX in coach. The seats are comfortable, but designed by a French company. The seats do lean back which is a plus and if you are traveling in a group it is possible to have the middle seats with a table facing each other. There is a snack cart that occasionally goes by in economy with vending machines between cars. Also the ends of the cars have nice luggage racks for those traveling. First has a nicer pitch with reversible seats (1-2 seating). First has complimentary beverages, newspapers, and headphones.

A couple of months ago, flew with my wife and daughter GMP-CJU on KE in business, about $20 more each way than Y. Same beverage service as Y. I did like the domestic duty-free shops at CJU. Weird thing is boarding the a/c (A330s) at both GMP and CJU were through jetways, while disembarking at both airports required walking down steep ramps to the tarmac to waiting buses. A frail Halmonee almost fell down the stairs carrying her duty-free purchases.

I've often thought that Jeju would need at least one intercontinental flight from both Europe and the US. Let's say LHR-CJU and SFO-CJU once or twice a week. With Nine Bridges Golf, Halla-san, the excellent seafood and now Daum relocated there they might have enough pulling power to justify this.

And with the existing direct flights to Japan and China it might attract stop-over passengers too.